Blue Jackets @ Leafs - Jan. 9th, 7:30pm - TSN, TSN 1050

[mc]

seriously, the Leafs played awesome. so sound in every aspect of the game.

 

[Redleaf]

If it ends up being as simple as firing Carlyle, I'd be firing Nonis for taking so long to do it.

I wouldn't be too quick to jump onto the 'Carlyes gone, problem solved' bandwagon just yet. Teams usually have some jump for a while when a new coach comes on board. I wouldn't dismiss the temporary effect of the daunting words coming from  Shanahan today either about players being moved out if they didn't add some 'will' into their game right away.

Big question remains....does this well rounded game they showed their capable of playing tonight last the remainder of the season, or just for a few games, weeks, maybe a month before they slip back into the inconstant team we've watched the past few seasons?

 

[BrownRolo]

If it ends up being as simple as firing Carlyle, I'd be firing Nonis for taking so long to do it.

I wouldn't be too quick to jump onto the 'Carlyes gone, problem solved' bandwagon just yet. Teams usually have some jump for a while when a new coach comes on board. I wouldn't dismiss the daunting words coming from  Shanahan today either about players being moved out if they dont add some 'will' into their game right away. Big question remains....does this well rounded game last the remainder of the season, or just for a few games, weeks, maybe a month before they slip back into the inconstant team we've seen the past few seasons?

Thing is they never came close to playing a full 60 minutes under Carlyle. For some reason he goes and they already look so much better?

 

[hockeyfan1]

seriously, the Leafs played awesome. so sound in every aspect of the game.

They did indeed play well in all aspects of their game, particularly their transition game.  Good to see the forwards play a two-way game, including the d.
Guess that visit by Shanahan had it's due effect...

"He's the boss of our organization and the president of our team, so when he addresses the team, the team listens with open ears," captain Dion Phaneuf said. "It wasn't a negative meeting, but it was about what he expects from our team, very straightforward, professional, and I thought our team responded well and in the right way."

That's the kind of game that we're striving towards on an every-night basis," Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Fransonsaid. "Our forwards did a great job of playing in our [defensive] zone, they played a slow and in-the-house game. There were options for us in the middle all night. They helped us break out of our zone, and they did a great job on the transition and generating some offensive chances.

"When we can play like that as a group, we spend less time in on our own zone and we're a much better team because of it."


http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014020609&navid=nhl:topheads

 

[Boston Leaf]

I am not ready to get sucked back in to believe that they have turned any corner but I will say it was easily one of their best efforts of the year.. Only a couple of small rough patches but they beat a team who was red hot... It was a fun night to watch....I like how Horacheck coaches during a game and not just yell at everyone. Boy Staois looks like a real focused dude

 

[pmrules]

Wifey and I went to our first game together in almost 7+ years - her idea and she's not even a fan.  It was only her second live hockey game ever and she actually enjoyed it!

Team played very well...I couldn't believe the shot totals after every period....great play by the team....finally.  Seriously haven't seen a complete game like this in a long time.

I kept an eye on Kessel, and while better, was still cheating at times to leave the defensive zone.

Overall a great game!

 

[Deebo]

I wouldn't be too quick to jump onto the 'Carlyes gone, problem solved' bandwagon just yet. Teams usually have some jump for a while when a new coach comes on board.

Yeah, that's why I used the word if.

 

[Highlander]

Lets hope that they continue to buy into what Horacheck is selling and we see some more joy.  Its going to be an interesting finish to the season.

 

[bustaheims]

If it ends up being as simple as firing Carlyle, I'd be firing Nonis for taking so long to do it.

The upcoming West Coast swing could be really telling, but, there have definitely been some very encouraging signs so far under Horachek - more than just the team getting an emotional butt kicking from their coach being fired. There's already some changes in terms of structure and systems that have helped spur them to playing a much better game.

 

[L K]

If it ends up being as simple as firing Carlyle, I'd be firing Nonis for taking so long to do it.

The upcoming West Coast swing could be really telling, but, there have definitely been some very encouraging signs so far under Horachek - more than just the team getting an emotional butt kicking from their coach being fired. There's already some changes in terms of structure and systems that have helped spur them to playing a much better game.

Consistency will be the telling thing.  Horachek has good possession numbers coming from Florida with a bad team.  The Leafs had better possession numbers immediately prior to hiring Carlyle.  I think it's completely reasonable that having a coach who promotes more puck possession across the blueline, doesn't employ a collapsing defensive zone system and doesn't shackle your teams mobility has a fair chance of getting better possession numbers.  And those numbers matter over the course of a season because it wears opponents down in games when you have offensive zone time.  It also saves your defense and goaltender from being run through the wall every single game.

 

[Bullfrog]

I thought Franson's comment about how the forwards were actually giving the defense outlet options was telling. A good example of how team defense can lead to offense.

 

[Rebel_1812]

If it ends up being as simple as firing Carlyle, I'd be firing Nonis for taking so long to do it.

I wouldn't be too quick to jump onto the 'Carlyes gone, problem solved' bandwagon just yet. Teams usually have some jump for a while when a new coach comes on board. I wouldn't dismiss the daunting words coming from  Shanahan today either about players being moved out if they dont add some 'will' into their game right away. Big question remains....does this well rounded game last the remainder of the season, or just for a few games, weeks, maybe a month before they slip back into the inconstant team we've seen the past few seasons?

Thing is they never came close to playing a full 60 minutes under Carlyle. For some reason he goes and they already look so much better?

They never played a full 60 under wilson either.  That is why he had no problems throwing ex players under the bus.